Keleghai-Kapaleswari-Baghai project to be completed by 2018

The flood management project of the Keleghai-Kapaleswari-Baghai would be complete by 2018, said the state irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee. In reply to a question of Congress MLA Dr Manas Bhuniya in the Assembly on Thursday, Banerjee said that the work in 140 km major river and 136 minor ones have been completed, despite not getting clearance. Rs 235.75 crore have been spent till date for the project. The construction of the bridge on Keleghai river is scheduled to start in 2017.

Bhuniya, again placed a question stating that depth in some stretches of the river is not being maintained as it has to be. In reply to this, Banerjee said, that in certain areas the work has been undertaken following the recommendations after a mathematical model study was conducted by the Jadavpur University.

He said that in 2011, during flood, the water above danger level was stagnant for around 261 hours. While in 2015, the water remained stagnant for only 3 hours and that too 1 metre below the danger level.

The Centre had been reducing its share of the total cost of many projects for the past two years. In case if the Centre has to give 75 per cent of the project cost, then they are bringing it down to 50 per cent. It is leaving a deep impact on the state’s exchequer.

The Centre’s sudden decision in reducing the share of the project cost, despite of assuring more contribution when the project was taken up, is a matter of serious concern. Thus, the state government has to bear additional cost to complete the project.

But, the state government is desperate to complete the projects and it is one of the dream projects of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee further said that the Rs 439 crore was sanctioned for the Kandi Master Plan. The work was started with an initial investment of Rs 16.5 crores.

The Centre has given only a part of it. In the 2015-16 fiscal and till now of this financial year, the Centre is yet to release any money. Dr Bhuniya later assured support to the state government if they move to the Centre as the share of contribution is being reduced.